Nozzle for vacuum cleaners



Nov. 7, 1939. c, A, BROCK R=.-21,25

` NOZ'LLE FOR VACUUM CLEANERS original'iled May 21, 1954 INVENTOR. Clare/76e ff. Broc/,

' BY E. ML

ATTORNEYS.

Ressued Nov. 7,1939 l l' NOZZLE FOR VACUUM.' CLEANERS Clarence A. Brock, Detroit, Mich., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Rexair, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Original No. 2,035,688, dated March 31, 1936, Se rial No. 726,720, May 21, 1934. Application for reissue April 10, 1937, Serial No. 136,212

23 Claims. (Cl. 15-156) 'Ihis invention relatesto nozzles for vacuum adapted for engagement with the surface to be cleaners and the like, the principal object being cleaned. the provision of a construction by means of 'I'he above being among the objects of the preswhich the suction eiect of the nozzle may be ent invention, the same consists in certain novel easily and quickly concentrated over a relatively features of construction and combinations of `5 small area or may be extended over a relatively parts to be hereinafter described with reference large area. to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed,

Objects of the invention include the provision having the above and other objects in view. of a nozzle for suction cleaners or the like em- In the accompanying drawing which illustrates bodying a structure providing a normal or service a suitable embodiment of the present invention 10 :suction intake area or port opening for presentaand in which like numeralsrefer to like parts tion Vto a carpet or other article to be cleaned, threughOut the several different views. and additionally embodying a member'providing Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum an auxiliary or supplemental nozzle and having a cleaner nozzle assembly embodying the present port opening normally opening into the main or invention. l5 A service port opening but movable relative thereto Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, partially whereby it may be presented to an article to be broken, partially sectioned plan view of the noz.- cleaned in such .a manner as to limit the suction zle shown in Fig. 1. effect of the entire nozzle structure to the port Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the area of such supplementary nozzle only; the proline 3 3 of Fig. 2 and showing the suction con- 20 vision of a nozzle member for a vacuum cleaner necting member 0r auxiliary DOZZle in its rlOror the like as above described in which the air mal Operating DOSilSiOD- being withdrawn into the nozzle through the Fig. 4 is a View Similar t0 Fig 3 but illustrating main or service port opening must also pass the suction connection member or auxiliary nozthrough` the supplementary or auxiliary nozzle zle in a position to limit the suctionI effects of the 25 port opening; the provision of a device as above nOZZle Sirueture t0 the area 0f theA Perl? Opening described which is controlled entirely by the anin the auxiliary DOZZle OnlY- gularity of the Wand or handle for the nozzle; Fig. 5 is a iront elevational view of the nozzle and the provision of la construction as -above ShOWn in the preceding VieWS 0n the Same Scale described that is simple in construction, ecoasin Figs-2f, 3. and 4. 30 nomical to manufacture and eii'icient in opera- Fig 5 iS a reduced bottom Plan View 0f the tion. nozzle shown in the preceding views, taken as on Other objects of the invention include a nozzle the line 5-5 0f Fig- 4. for vacuum cleaners or the like embodying a Referring 170 the drawing, there iS Shown in c.; main casing having an emngated suction opening Fis- 1 a Vacuum cleaner nozzle member indicated a5 or port in a face thereof and a central opening, generally al? lll provided With a tubular wand or and a suction connection for the nozzle including handle l2 qf conventional construction the upper a member received in and substantially sealing end 0f Which iS Sh0 W11 Connected t0 a eXible said central opening and provided with a port tube '4- The opposlle end 0f lille tube M 1S 10 opening therein normally opening into the inI adapted to be secured l0 a Sul910n-pf0dl1c1lg 40 terior of the casing but movable/relative thereto devlce not shown in accordance Wlth certam whereby to bring it into directfcontact with the types of so'caued v acuun Cleaners' It Wm be surface being cleaned so as to concentrate the 'appfirent lo ihqse skmed m the art from the fol' Suction effect, of the nozzl Structure to the lowing description that the particular type of suction connection only which thereby enables ggzlsp'tmgrhogpea dcllgelisg 45 above described in which the suction connection glenozlly alssgcired etype for Wm'h tege pa.

is pivotally mounted in the casing and in Subticular embodiment of the nozzle structure shown stantial sealing relation with respect to the walls in the accompanying drawing is' designed, the of the opening in which it is received; and the particular embodiment shown in the drawing beprovision of a construction as above ldescribed v ing employed as a matter o1 illustration because in which the suction connection member is proof its simplicity. I i

vided with bristles 0r the .like irl that Iaee lhereei As disclosed in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the nozzle 55 structure I8 includes a main casing I6 of elongated inverted U-shaped section having opposite ends thereof closed to provide a downwardly opening service section port opening I1 (see Fig. 3). The lower edges of the casing I6 about the port opening Il are provided with an outwardly extended flange I8 adapted for contact with the floor or other surface which it is desired to clean. The lower face of the flange I8 is curved outwardly and upwardly with respect to the center of the port Il to enhance the ease with which the nozzle structure may be moved over the surface to be cleaned.

The casing I6 is centrally provided with a pair of rearwardly projecting, vertically disposed Webs or walls 28 formed integrally with the casing I6 and spaced laterally from. one another with re- -spect to the width of the casing I6, and the space between the walls 28 is in open communication with the hollow interior 22 of the casing I6. A web such as 24, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is preferably provided between the walls 20 adjacent their rear or left hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, at the lower edges of the walls and so as to provide an additional area of contact between the nozzle structure and the surface upon which it is supported so as to stiifen the structure as well as to maintain the nozzle structure in the desired normal position with respect to such surface.

The opposed faces 26 of the walls 28 are formed relatively smooth and in planes substantially parallel to each other, and slidably but closely received between the walls 26 is an auxiliary or high suction nozzle member 28 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 38 extending between the walls 28. The front or right hand face 3| of the member 28, as -viewed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is formed to the shape of a part of a cylindrical surface having its axis coincident with the axis of the pin 38, and the casing 26 is formed to provide a curved surface 34 complementary to the surface 3| and adapted for substantial sliding engagement therewith. The auxiliary nozzle 28 is provided with an upwardly extending sleeve 36 integral therewith in which the lower end of the handle or wand I2 is frictionally yor otherwise suitablysocketed and the hollow interior of the sleeve 3B is in open communication with the opening 38 which extends down through the lower face-of the auxiliary nozzle 28 and forms a port 48 therefor in the lower face. 'I'he lower face of the auxiliary nozzle 28 is so constructed and arranged that when the handle or wand I2 is raised or lifted to the position indicated in Fig. 4, the lower face of the auxiliary nozzle 28 may lie in contact or in a position to contact a supporting surface around the entire periphery of the port 48. When in this position the side faces of the auxiliary nozzle 28 completely shut olf communication between the interior of the nozzle 28 and the interior 22 of the casing I6. If the handle or wand I2 is dropped from the position indicated in Fig 4 to a position suehfas is indicated in Fig. 3 for instance, which is the normal positionY of operation ofthe nozzle structure. and in which position the auxiliary nozzle 28 has contact with the oor or other supporting surface only immediately below the pivot pin 38, then the port 48 in the auxiliary nozzle 28 is in open communication with the interior 22 of the casing I6 and consequently any suction eiect within the handle or wand I2 is apparent within the space 22 over the full area of the port Il thereoi'. When the auxiliary nozzle is moved. to the P051- tion indicated in Fig. 4, the suction within the handle I2 is prevented from exerting its effect within the space 22 of the casing I6 and consequently is limited only to the area of the port 48.

The result of this construction is that during ordinary operation of the nozzle for extracting dust or the like from a carpet or other surface the auxiliary nozzle 28 may be moved to a position such as that indicated in Fig. 3 in which the port 48 is in open communication with the interior 22 of the main nozzle casing I6 and consequently the suction effect, is exerted over the full area of the port I'I, and when some piece of material such as a thread or some member such as a pin or the like is encountered and which is ordinarily difficult toremove from a surface by the normal suction existing within the main nozzle portion of the device, the handle I2 may be moved to the position indicated in Fig. 4 in which the entire suction effect of the` Vacuum cleaner may be concentrated over the small area of the port 48 where its higher value will enable such piece of material or member to be picked up. In this connection it may be noted that in the particular construction shown the area of the high suction nozzle port 48 is in the neighborhood of twenty percent of the combined area of the port I1 and connected area between the walls 28 forwardly of the pivot pin 38 which also acts as part of the service nozzle port opening when the handle I2 is in the position shown in Fig. 3. The difference in the effects of the high pressure nozzle as compared to the service nozzle will of course depend upon the relative proportions of their port opening areas when separately effective, but the area of the high suction nozzle port should not exceed one-third of the effective port area of the service nozzle if the most benecial results are to be obtained.

Thus with the device shown and described by simply raising or lowering the handle or wand I2, the usual suction effect on the entire nozzle 4area may be caused to be effective for ordinary cleaning purposes and when it is desired to pick up some article that does not readily respond to the usual vacuum effect of the nozzle, the handle may be raised ,to the position indicated in Fig. 4 and the port 48 may be caused lto pass directly over such article whereby the increased vacuum effects apparent therein will cause the article to be withdrawn from the surface. This change in suction effect of the nozzle may be effected by the operator in a simple and easy manner and with a minimum of e'ort.

The member 2| serves a function additional to that previously mentioned of merely connecting the walls 26 and serving to strengthen them in that it is desirable at times to project the nozzle beneath some piece of furniture such as a bed, or the like, where there is a minimum of vertical clearance and to permit the forward edge of the nozzle to be tipped upwardly away from the supporting surface so as to enable it to be dropped over some particular piece of material which it is desired to pick up. Under such circumstances the handle or wand I2 is dropped to such an extent as to bring the collar 36 into contact with the web 24 and after such contact further dropping of the handle I2 will cause the entire nozzle vassembly to tip upwardly about the rounded rear edges of the wallsl 28 so as to enable the nozzle to be projected over the piece of material which it is desired to pick up.

It may be desirable, under certain circumstances, in order to loosen a piece of material such as a thread or thelike which may be partially I .embedded in or is adhering to the surface being cleaned, to provide some means for mechanically dislodging such piece of material or loosening its adherence to the surface to enable it to be more readily picked up by the nozzle. This may be effected by inserting in the lower face of the auxiliary nozzle 40 a plurality of groups 50 of relatively short bristles or the like, such bristles being relatively short in order to interfere as little as possible with the application of the high suction effects through the port 40.

It is also desirable to provide some means for preventing inadvertent contact between the metallic portions of the nozzle with the legs of furniture or other articles about which the nozzle is being operated and for this purpose I prefer to provide a rubber bumper 60 surrounding the casing I6 above the flange I8. This bumper 6U may take the form of a strip of rubber or other non-metallic material extended around the casing i6 above the flange I8 and projecting outwardly beyond the outer edges of the flange I8, the free ends of the strip being extended to a point adjacent the walls 20 where they may be secured in place by any suitable means such as screws 62.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners and the like, in combination, a hollow main nozzle member provided with a surface contact face having a port opening therein, an auxiliary nozzle member movably associated within said main nozzle member, said auxiliary nozzle memberl having a surface contact portion provided with a port opening therein of smaller area than anda perimeter not greater than twenty-five per cent of the first mentioned port opening to afford a higher velocity suction opening, means for connecting said port openings with a source of suction, said nozzle members bein-g so constructed and arranged that when said face of said auxiliary nozzle member is brought into contact with a supporting' surface within the main nozzle it blocks effective communication between said port opening of said main nozzle member and said source of suction and when moved out of a position in contact with a surface it opens communication between said port opening in said main nozzle member and said source of suction through the auxiliary nozzle.

2. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners and the like, a handleadapted for connection with a source of suction, an auxiliary nozzle member stationary with respect to said handle and having a port openingtherein adapted for application to a surface to be cleaned, a hollow main nozzle member pivoted to and surrounding said auxiliary nozzle member and having a service port opening therein adapted for application to a surface to be cleaned, said service port opening being atleast twice the length of said port opening in said auxiliary nozzle member, said auxiliary nozzle member being movable by said handle to a position whereby to limit the suction effect of said structure to the port area of said auxiliary nozzle member only, and being movable to another position wherein said port opening of 'said auxiliary nozzle is in open communication with said service port opening.

3. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners or the like, a hollow casing having an opening in its lower face forming an air intake, an auxiliary nozzle member plvotally secured to said casing, means for connecting said auxiliary nozzle member to a source of suction, said auxiliary nozzle member projecting into said casing and having a ported4 surface contact face optionally movable into contact with a surface to be cleaned within said air intake opening in said casing or to a position to provide open communication between the source of suction and thehollow interior of said casing, said port in the face of the auxiliary member being of a perimeter' and area substantially no greater than twenty-five per cent of the perimeter and area of said intake opening in said casing.

,when in one position and being movable through the other member thereof whereby to bring its surface contact faceinto contact with the surface to be cleaned within the area of the port opening of the other of said members, and means limiting movement between saidV members in at least one direction.

5. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners and the like, in combination, a pair nof hollow nozzle members each havinga face adapted for contact with the surface to be cleaned and a port opening in each face, said port openings being of different lengths and of different areas, one

of said members having a vacuum supply open' ing therein and the corresponding port opening thereof being of approximately the same perime' ter and area as said supply opening and being movable through the other of said members whereby to afford open communication between said vacuum supply opening and the port in the other member when in one position and to bring its surface contact face into contact with the surface to be cleaned within the area of the port opening of the other of said members when in another position, a handle affording an air passage secured to said one of said nozzles and so constructed and arranged as to afford a means for controlling the positions of said nozzles relative to one another and as a unit.

6. A nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners or the like. comprising, in combination, a. hollow main casing having an elongated-port opening in its lower face for contacting a surface to be cleaned and a pocket in open communication with the hollow interior of said casing and extending rearwardly therefrom, an auxiliary nozzle member plvotally secured to said casing and slidabe in said pocket, the perimeter and area of the port opening in said auxiliary nozzle not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the perimete'r and area of the port opening in said main nozzle, a handle affording a means for connecting said supply opening to a source of suction secured to said auxiliary nozzle member, said casing and said auxiliary nozzle member being so constructed and arranged as to permit said auxiliary nozzle member to be moved to a position in which it only is effective for producing a suction effect against the surface being cleaned or to a position to place the interior of said casing in open communication with the interior of said auxiliary nozzle member.

7. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners' and the like, a hollow casing having a suction opening in its lower face forming an air intake for contacting a surface being cleaned, an auxiliary nozzle member movably secured to said casing, tubular supply means for connecting said auxiliary nozzle member to a source of suction, said auxiliary nozzle member projecting into said casing and having a ported surface contact face optionally movable into contact with the surface to be cleaned within said air intake opening in said casing or to a position to provide open communication between it and the suction opening of said casing, the area and perimeter of the port in said auxiliary nozzle member not ex- 2() ceeding twenty-five per cent of the eiective area and perimeter of said air intake opening.

8. In a nozzle structure for vacuum cleaners and the like, a service nozzle member having an opening therein and adapted for substantially constant contact with a surface to be cleaned,

an auxiliary nozzle member having an opening therein connected with a source of suction and associated with said service nozzleand optionally movable relative thereto into a 'position affording open communication for air between the service nozzle opening and the source of suction and into another position of engaging relation with said surface, and an agitator means associated with said auxiliary nozzle normally out ofengagement with said surface but movable with said auxiliary nozzle into contact therewith.

9. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination, a main nozzle member provided with a 'face having 40 a port opening therein adapted to contact a surface to' be cleaned,` an auxiliary nozzle member engaging said main member and movable relative thereto, said auxiliary nozzle member being provided with a vacuum supply port therein con- 5 nected to a source of suction and having an opening of not more than twenty-five` per cent of the area and perimeter of said port in said main nozzle connected with said port and adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned within the area of said port opening in the main nozzle when said member whereby to aiord an unrestricted passage for air between the main nozzle and source of suction.

10. In a nozzle structure for a vacuum cleaner and the like, Vin combination, a pair of nozzle (m members each having a face adapted for contact with a surface to be cleaned and a port opening in each face, said port openings being of different areas, one of said members having a vacuum supply opening therein and said port c; opening therein having a perimeter and area not greater than twenty-ve per cent of the perimeter and area of the port opening in the other of said members and being pivotally connected and movable within said other of said members To whereby to bring its surface contacting face into contact with the surface beingcleaned within the area of the port opening of said other of said members when in one position and to affordopen communication for air between its 75 port openings and the vacuum supply when in another position, and means limiting pivotal movement between said members in at least one direction. Y

11. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle 4structure comprising an outer nozzle member, and an in position wherein its mouth is away from thev surface undergoing cleaning to offer an unrestricted passage for air'between the outer nozzle member and the source of suction through the inner nozzle member, the inner nozzle member being provided with a surface contacting agitating means.

l2. In a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a main casing provided with a service opening and an auxiliary nozzle provided with an opening of reduced area connected with a source of suction, said auxiliary nozzle being movably associated with said main casing and movable to a position whereby to limit the suction effect of said structure to the area of the reduced opening and being movable to another position wherein said reduced opening is in open communication with said service opening, in combination, an agitating means upon said auxiliary nozzle for contacting and agitating the surface being cleaned.

13. In a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a main casing provided with a service opening and an auxiliary nozzle provided with a reduced opening connected with a source of suction, said auxiliary nozzle being pivotally mounted within said main casing and movable to a position whereby to limit the suction effect of said structure to the area of the reduced opening and being movable to another position wherein said reduced opening is in open communication with said service opening, in combination, brush means upon said auxiliary nozzle for contacting and agitating the surface being cleaned. l

14. A nozzle structure for a vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a hollow main nozble member having a working opening therein for contacting a surface to be cleaned, said opening being relatively elongated and having a relatively long perimeter for -the area thereof, and an auxiliary nozzle member having a high velocity port therein adapted to Contact a surface to be cleaned, said high velocity port having an area not greater than 25% of the area of said working area and having a dimension measured in the direction of length of said working opening less than 25% of the length of said working opening, and means movably mounting said auxiliary member within said main nozzle member so constructed and arranged as to permit said high velocity port to contact a surface to be cleaned substantially within said working opening, when in one position, and to afford unrestricted communication for air between said high velocity port and said working opening when in another position.

15. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source for establishing a fluid pressure differential through-said nozzle, the combination of an outer nozzle member having a first portion adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon and having a relatively large rst port and said source, and in a second relative positionl thereof said inner member substantially closes off said first port from said source and said second portion is directly applied to said surface.

16. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source lfor vestablishing a fluid pressure differential through-'said nozzle, the combination of an outer nozzle member having a nrst portion pro,

vided with an open underside adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon; an

innenmozzle member having a second portion adaptedfor direct application to said surface and having a relatively small second port in said second portion in continuous connection with said source; means pivotally connecting said inner member to said outer member so that in one relative position thereof said second port forms a connection between said open underside and said source, and in a second relative position thereof said inner member substantially reduces the flow between said open underside and said source and said second portion is directly applied to said surface, said inner member having surfaces which engage and seal with portions of said outer member when in said first relative position to minimize leakage between said underside and said source, said members being so constructed and arranged that said sealing surfaces are relatively small. c

17. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source for establishing a iiuid pressure differential through said nozzle, the combination of an outer nozzle member having a first portion adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon and having a relatively large first port in said first portion; an inner nozzle member having a second portion adapted for direct application to said surface and having a relatively small second port in said second portion in continuous connection with said source; means pivotally connecting' said members together so that in one relative pivotal position thereof said second port forms a connection between said first port and said source, and `in a second relative position thereof said inner member substantially reduces the flow between said first port and saidsource and said second portion is directly applied to said surface; andv agitating means carried by said nozzle structure and disposed to be moved into and/or out of cooperative relation to said surface connection with said source; means pivotally connecting said members together so that in one relative pivotal position thereof said second port forms a connection between saidfrst port and -said source, and inya second relative position thereof said inner member substantially reduces the flow between said first port and said source and said second portion is directly applied to said surface; and agitating means carried by said nozzle structure and disposed to be moved by said inner nozzle member into cooperative relation to said surface when said inner nozzle member is moved to said second relative position.

19. In a nozzle structure, the combination of a nozzle member having a service port therein adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon, a follower, portion extending rearwardly from said port portion, an auxiliary nozzle member for restricting the effective size of said service port; means pivotally connecting said auxiliary nozzle member within said main-nozzle at a point between said port portion and said vfollower portion; and agitating means connected to said nozzle structure and disposed to be moved into and/or out of cooperative relation to said surface by movement of said auxiliary nozzle member.

20. In a nozzle structure, the combination of a nozzle member having a service port therein -A adapted for direct application to a surface to bev operated upon,v 'a follower portion extending rearwardly from said service port, and an auxiliary nozzle member pivotally connected to said firstmentioned nozzle member at a point between said service port and said follower portion, said auxilary nozzle member being movable between one position within said main nozzle member in which it restricts the effective size of said service port and a second position in which the full area of vsaid service port is effective.

21. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source for establishing a fluid pressure differential through said nozzle,'the combination of a main nozzle member having a part adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon, said part having a service port therein presented to said surface; an auxiliary nozzle member having a part adapted for direct application to said surface and having a relatively small auxiliary port in said part; means forming a connection between said nozzle members and said source; and means pivotally connecting ysaid members together so that in one relative pivotal position thereof said auxiliary member forms a connection between said first port and said sourcel and said second mentioned part is retracted away from said surface, and in a second relative position thereof said auxiliary member substantially reduces the flow between said first port and said source and said second mentioned part is directly applied to said surface.

l22. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source for establishing a iiuid pressure differential through said nozzle, the combination of a main nozzle member having a part adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon, said part having a service port therein presented to said surface; an auxiliary nozzle member having a part adapted for direct application to said surface and having a relatively small auxiliary port in said part; means forming aconsource; means pivotally connecting said members together so that in one relative pivotalposition thereof said auxiliary member forms a connection between said first port and said source and said second mentioned part is retracted away from nection between said nozzle members and said said surface, and in a second relative position applied to said surface; and floor agitatirig means carried by said nozzle structure and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said surface by movement of the auxiliary nozzle member.

23. In a nozzle structure adapted for connection to a source for establishing a fluid pressure ldifferential through said nozzle, the combination of a main nozzle member having an elongated laterally extending housing portion and a relatively narrovv follower portion extending rearwardly from said housing portion intermediate the ends thereof, said housing and follower portions being adapted for direct application to a surface to be operated upon'and said housing portion having an elongated service port therein presented to said surface; 'an auxiliary nozzle meniber having a part adapted for direct application to said surface and having a relatively small second port in said second portion in continuous connection with said source; and means pivotally connecting said members together so that in one relative pivotal position thereof said second port.

forms a connection between said rst port and said source, and in a second relative position thereof said auxiliary member substantially reduces the ow between said rst port and said source and said second portion is directly applied to said surface.

CLARENCE A. BROCKQ 

